Easter Shopping

When I was a pre-teen and teenager, one of the highlights of each Easter was singing in the Youth Choir and shopping for an Easter dress, new shoes and new handbag. Every year, Mom and Dad made sure that money was put aside so my sister and I could each purchase a new outfit. It meant a full day at two different malls in search of the perfect outfit.

One year in particular was particularly memorable. Ruth and I went shopping at the same mall but split up. I went my way and she went hers. Several hours later we met up again and headed home. When we arrived we quickly pulled out our treasures to model for the other only to discover we bought the EXACT same shoes and handbag... same color and all. Of all the stores and all the hundreds of choices we picked the same thing. Thankfully our dresses were different, but we had a good chuckle. You'd think we were twins or something.

So, although I don't get to spend Easter with my sister, I always think of her and this particular shopping experience. Miss you sis!!

Children's Choir

Chris' debut with the Christ Church Children's Choir yesterday....

Watchful

Ever get the feeling someone is watching you???

Career Conference

I guess the good news I have some photos... the bad news is that I was taking most of them and not in them. Here's just a couple - I'm going to be posting more on Facebook.

And in case you were wondering what Chris and Steve did while I was away, this should give you a clue....

It Was The Best of Times, It Was The Worst of Times

Had an awesome time in Orlando from Friday to Saturday. Learned so much, meet some great women and was inspired by so many of the speakers there. Came home with a beautiful pearl and silver bracelet that I earned as well as a star necklace and free products! Spending time with my sister was, of course, a pleasure as well. Here are some highlights, lowlights and other observations from my trip:

1) The only thing worse than having a cheerleading squad on your flight is having TWO cheerleading squads from competing high schools on your flight... oh yeah, and you are sitting directly in the middle of them.
2) For all of those praying for me -thank yo. I had a very uneventful flight -- your prayers helped -- I had no fears and was quite calm.
3) Jet Blue is definitely the way to go... Any airlines that allows me to watch HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Bravo, and all the network channels while in flight, will get my business.
4) In case you were wondering, the cost of having a pillow and blanket while on board is $7.00. I say go buy yourself a Snuggie and bring it with you.
5) Orlando airport is not as Magical as Disney. I felt like cattle being corralled back into my pen just trying to get through security. Totally unorganized.
6) I love my career and the fact that I work for a company who stresses the Golden Rule and that everyone should put God first, Family second and Career third. How great is that?

Most horrific moment of the last 2 days had to be when rushing to change before checking in my luggage yesterday. I wanted to be comfortable for flying. My routine is to enter into a handicap bathroom stall to open my luggage and get out some comfy clothes. This worked fine on the trip down to Orlando, but when I went to repeat my "Superman" move of changing clothes, there were no oversized stalls available and I didn't have time to wait. So, I squeezed into a regular stall and you all know how small they are. Me, my luggage and purse. I had already pulled out my jeans and my "granny legs" aka. leg brace (have to wear one to prevent repeat blood clots). But I forgot socks... which meant I had to open up my entire suitcase to pull them out. So, balancing my favorite black skirt which I had just taken off and my pantyhose, I tried to gracefully open up my suitcase. But, as fate would have it, my beloved black skirt took a nose dive into the toilet bowl in the Orlando airport. Thank God I had flushed. The thoughts of the germs in there alone was enough to freak me out.. .but it was my favorite skirt. What would YOU do??? Of course I quickly grabbed it out, stuffed it in a plastic bag I had and after debating with myself for 30 seconds, made the executive decision to take it home. Call me crazy but I couldn't make up my mind at that precise moment. I figured I would either get it professionally washed or throw it out once I got here.

Oh well... the drama. Pictures (not of the skirt) to follow. LOL

The Pen

Today we were going through some of my husband's suits to pick one out for him to wear to a special event tonight. While sorting through the pile and trying on his options, he felt something in one of the pockets of the jackets, and low and behold, he pulled out my Mont Blanc pen. Now, I haven't seen this pen in YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that pen. When I was working for the executive search firm in NYC, each employee was given a Mont Blanc pen with our initials engraved on it. This pen went with me from job to job, city to city and, obviously, went "missing" for the last few years. Honestly, I haven't seen that pen since sometime in Florida. All along it was safe and secure in a suit. I guess that's making a statement about how often my hubby puts on a suit LOL. Oh well, I was giddy with excitement and quickly put it in my purse. It will be accompanying me tomorrow on my trip to Orlando. I'm flying solo for a Mary Kay Career Conference. So, if you think of me tomorrow and Saturday say a prayer for my safe travels (we all know how much I hate to fly) and that it will be informative and fun. I'll take a picture of the beautiful bracelet that I am being awarded with too.

Be Sure Your Sins Will Find You Out

You'd have to be pretty darn stupid to think you could rob a church and get away with it. I mean.. really... don't you think God is seeing you do this? Well, apparently, there were 3 gentleman who must have missed the Sunday School lesson on "be sure your sins will find you out." Several months ago, a group of thieves broke into our church and stole some of our cameras (worth over $10,000) and the ATM machine which held at least $2,000. (We can have another discussion as to why there is an ATM machine in the church lobby). Anyway, it was pretty scary especially considering it was done at night and my husband works late nights at the church. Thankfully, none of the staff was there when the robbery took place.

I honestly didn't know if they were going to catch the guys, but today on the front page of the paper, was an article detailing on how they caught these 3 gentlemen who robbed the church and other commercial buildings over the last several months. They obviously had stacked out the church, during services, and proceeded with their plan. I guess we can only hope that they will come to know the Lord while in jail.

Something In the Air

I don't know how else to explain this... Not only did we have the green paint on the white carpet incident this week, but the other day...after a very LONG day, I was walking up our carpeted stairs to get Chris into bed, when I noticed black smudges all over the landing at the top of the stairs. My first thought was muddy shoes, but when I went to touch it, it wasn't muddy. It was like the stains were stuck to the fibers. "Chris... what happened on the stairs up here?" "I stamped it!" was the innocent reply. You see, I have a stamp with my business information on it...name, address, etc. So, my loving son took the stamper which he already had been told not to touch, and stamped the upstairs landing. Yes, more white carpet with stains. Out came the Resolve carpet cleaner which thankfully tackled this tough stain. What I couldn't understand was why he didn't TELL ME! This had happened hours before. I'm really working with him to drill into him that he needs to tell me when things happen! Oh well... it's just so surprising because it's like all of a sudden he's into these silly little things.

Buried Treasure

Spring is FINALLY coming... the birds are chirping again and our community has posted their annual bear warning signs. The snow should continue to melt over these next few days and the warm weather will arrive.

Yesterday, while playing outside, Christopher was digging in some of the yet-to-be melted snow and found a "treasure". There underneath a pile of "dirty" snow, was a newspaper that was delivered to our house. It was nicely wrapped in its plastic bag and believe it or not, was still in great condition. It was dated February 10, 2010. That poor paper was out there for a month.

We've been very busy and honestly most days my head is spinning with just "stuff" and I feel like I can never fully conquer one task. Please say a prayer for my father-in-law, Domingo. He is in the hospital due to a urinary track infection.

I thought I'd leave you with this verse which I just posted on my refrigerator the other day: "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Wait Until Your Father Gets Home

My mom uttered that phrase more often than I'd care to admit (I was the instigator in our home.. I'd start the fights and my sister and brother would battle it out so to speak). I've never had a cause to use that phrase in our home, but last night was the first time I was tempted to open my mouth and speak those very words.

I wasn't feeling so good - just exhausted. Went to a bowling birthday party for one of Chris' friends, came home and literally fell asleep on the couch for about an hour. Steve had to go to work so Chris and I were home. I did my best to entertain him with what little strength I had. So, I thought let's go down to the playroom so he could play with some toys and I could check some email and do a little work.

He asked to play with his paints and thought that was a great idea. We got the art smock on, all the washable paints out and off he went. I was sitting right there which makes what happens next even more unbelievable. He showed me two beautiful pictures he painted and asked if he could paint just one more before bedtime. Sure, no problem. So, I wrapped up what I was doing and literally 2 minutes later I turned my head and saw green paint all over the white speckled berber carpet!! By this time, Chris had gotten some toilet paper from the bathroom and trying to wipe up the mess. "Why didn't you tell me you had an accident with the paint?" " I was just trying to clean it up myself." I flipped into clean up mode and grabbed my Bissell Spot Bot (every house with small children and carpets should have one of those), my Resolve carpet cleaner and got to work. It was not pretty and I honestly didn't know if it was going to come out. Yes, it was "washable" paint, but it just doesn't wipe off of carpet.

Honestly, I had no one to blame but myself. I'm usually very proactive about making sure he has old towels around his art area when he is painting, but I was so out of it last night, it didn't even cross my mind. Kids are kids... things happen. I spent a while trying to get the stains out.. yes, more than one stain and somehow they were splattered around. Eventually, I was happy with the job I'd done, went upstairs and put Chris to bed.

When we got up this morning, Steve & I came down to investigate. Here I am telling him what I good job I did cleaning the stain and that he probably wouldn't even notice it.... Well... surprise, surprise - I could TOTALLY see the stains as soon as I walked into the room. Thankfully, my wonderful husband grabbed the Oxiclean, made a paste and spread it on the stains. I'm happy to report that he worked wonders and the carpet is totally clean. It's amazing. Big sigh of relief. No painting today...unless towels are present.

Facebook Do's and Don'ts for Married Couples

I read this good article about Facebook and Marriage.  Please check out this link !!

I want you to take a look at: Facebook Do's and Don'ts, Growthtrac, Articles for Christian Marriage 

Proud Moment

We attended a birthday party for one of Christopher's classmates over the weekend. During cake time, I noticed that Christopher was helping one of his friends put the straw in her juice box. The girl's mom leaned over to me and told me that Christopher helps her with the straw every day in school. I had not idea -- it's not one of those things he ever brought up in conversation or would I have had the opportunity to really observe in the past. My heart just melted at this little simple act of kindness. You see, this little girl was the first friend he made when we moved here to NJ. She has some sensory issues and is the sweetest little thing. I seriously struggled to hold back tears and it just warmed my heart so to see that he's getting it... he's learning to care for others... to be kind.. to be Christ-like. What more could you want as a parent.

I just thank God for a little boy with a gentle heart.